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USC alumni win Sinag Maynila Best Film award for PINIKAS

Posted on April 19, 2026 by universityofsancarlos
Sinag Maynila 2026

The University of San Carlos, USC School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design (SAFAD) and the entire Carolinian community proudly celebrate the success of our alumni for their film PINIKAS [Halved].

PINIKAS cast and crew
From left: Dion Seco Cecilio (PINIKAS main cast member), Michael Bacalso (PINIKAS main cast member), Astrid ‘Ash’ Li (PINIKAS Producer, ZeroHouse Co.); Cris Fuego (PINIKAS Writer, Director, and Executive Producer, Sunny Toys Entertainment), Andrei Karoly ‘Amaya Han’ Hernandez (PINIKAS Producer, ZeroHouse Co.), Randolph Valmoria (PINIKAS main cast member), Jade Makawili (PINIKAS main cast member, Best Leading Actor Winner), and Alex Julio Tomboc (PINIKAS Sound Design).

Cris Fuego—director, screenwriter, and producer of the indie film and a B.S. Chemical Engineering and M.B.A. alumnus of the University—won Best Director and Best Screenplay awards. 

The film’s sound director, Alex Julio Tomboc, a B.S. Electronics and Communications Engineering alumnus, was also nominated for the Best Sound award. 

The film’s producer, Andrei Karoly “Amaya Han” Hernandez, a B.F.A. Cinema alumna, was also recognized for her important role in making this film possible.

The Visayas-Mindanao (VisMin) feature film PINIKAS emerged as the dominant winner at the 8th Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival. 

At the Gabi ng Parangal on March 28, 2026, PINIKAS dominated the stage, securing the Best Film title along with six other major awards: Best Director, ​Best Screenplay, ​Best Actress, ​Best Actor, ​Best Editing, and ​Best Musical Score.

Serving as an ode to the people from the Visayas and Mindanao, PINIKAS has truly put VisMin cinema on the map. This latest win builds on its growing international acclaim, including the Best Feature award at the 2025 SamhainBaucogna International Film Festival (Spain), and honors at the Tianjin International Academic Film Festival (China), Sorrento Film and Food Festival (Italy), and the Brazil New Visions International Film Festival.

Success has become a familiar companion for the storytellers of USC. In 2024, our Cinema Program students captured hearts with Tiil ni Lola [Grandma’s Feet], walking away with three well-deserved awards. 

That same spirit of excellence shone through Jon Owen Lepiten, whose film Sunog sa Sugbo garnered high recognition. Year after year, these filmmakers prove that Carolinian cinema is a force of both talent and deep, resonant spirit.

To our brilliant alumni, we thank you for creating such a beautiful masterpiece. We celebrate this historic milestone with you, and we wish you continued success.

Congratulations, CAROLINIANS!

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